SANTA CLARITA >> The devastation was immediate. The tears were fresh and raw.

When the Pierce College women’s volleyball team could not corral Sydney Stanley’s final serve, a wave of raw emotions washed over the Brahmas as Cabrillo celebrated an improbable state title.

Chelsea Lawrence gathered her Pierce teammates together and tried to prop them up after a stunning Sunday at the CCCAA State Finals at College of the Canyons, first sustaining a 25-21, 25-23, 25-20 loss to Cabrillo and then a 25-17 loss in the one-set tiebreaker.

Call it a state of disbelief.

“They were all holding their heads down, and I asked them, ‘Why?’ It took so much to get here,” Lawrence said. “I told them to hold your heads up. We are Brahmas. Yes, it feels awful, but we’ve got to hold our heads up.”

Slowly but surely, the Brahmas began to regain their composure.

To their credit, they handled the championship ceremony with class. Coach Nabil Mardini accepted the state runner-up trophy, smiled for the cameras and handed it off to setter and team captain Rachel Lods.

And Lods hoisted it in the air for her teammates, proud of them and their effort for making it to the state final in the first place.

“Honestly it’s an indescribable feeling,” Lods said about deciding to hoist the trophy. “No, we didn’t get a state title, but at the same time, I could not be more proud of everything we accomplished this season. Hats off to Cabrillo. They earned that first-place trophy.

“But I am proud to call these girls my teammates and friends. We got a lot more out of this than a state title.”

Cabrillo (29-20) became the first team in the state tournament history to win three consecutive matches on Sunday, beating Foothill 25-20, 25-16, 25-21, then avenged a loss to College of the Canyons with a 25-17, 25-16, 25-22 victory.

Then it was tasked with taking down a rested Pierce squad that had been ranked No. 1 in the state throughout the season.

However, Pierce (31-2) never got on track or found its rhythm.

“We didn’t start with fire,” Pierce outside hitter Zaire Dartis said. “It just wasn’t us today. They got us on a night when we were off, but I commend Cabrillo. They did good, they played well and they deserve it.”

It felt like Pierce was waiting to mount a comeback, but it never came. Dartis, fighting a stomach flu, delivered three consecutive kills in the one-set playoff to close within 23-17, but Cabrillo was not to be denied.

“At the end, I tried to flip the switch, but it was a little too late,” Dartis said. “I think we thought too much about state and not enough about playing.”

Cabrillo’s Marcela Frazzoni earned the tournament’s MVP award, racking up 16 kills in the four sets.

“We’re definitely in awe right now. We definitely came in expecting a different result,” Rice said. “One match does not define our season though.”

Dartis had 16 kills for Pierce. Lawrence and Schott each had eight kills. Montana Sheppard had six kills. Lods finished with 37 assists.

“We overcame so much as a team this season,” Schott said. “No matter what, we had a great season. I’m happy I was able to experience it and make all these friends.”

Tournament host Canyons took third place.

It had stunned Santa Barbara to make the state finals and followed that up by beating Cabrillo in a five-set thriller on Saturday, but could not replicate that magic on Sunday.

Western State Conference Player of the Year and All-American Emily Bible had nine kills and 11 digs to lead Canyons (26-4) against Cabrillo. Alize Bricot had seven kills, Brooke Garelick had 12 digs and Katie Rutecki had 26 assists.

“Just the amount of heart and determination we showed, especially in first match against Cabrillo, was incredible,” Bible said. “I’m so proud of my team. We worked so hard to be here, and just being here was an accomplishment in itself.

“I’m sad it had to end this way, but I could not ask for a better team, a better coaching staff or a better program.”

Join the Conversation

We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. Although we do not pre-screen comments, we reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.

If you see comments that you find offensive, please use the “Flag as Inappropriate” feature by hovering over the right side of the post, and pulling down on the arrow that appears. Or, contact our editors by emailing moderator@scng.com.